Rashard Mendenhall Injury: Is Isaac Redman Worth a Week 5 Waiver Wire Add?

While the hamstring injury to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall isn't serious, according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, his status for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans is up in the air, dependent upon how well he performs in practice this week.

Mendenhall's fantasy owners should look into handcuffing backup Isaac Redman this week, and not just for injury reasons. Mendenhall's performance has suffered behind the poor Steelers offensive line, rushing 58 times for just 173 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, leaving him with a disappointing three yards per carry average.

Considering that Redman managed six carries for 40 yards and a 12-yard reception in the team's Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans, and has 22 total rushes for 107 yards, one touchdown and a 4.9 yard average with the same line blocking for him, it's clear that something isn't clicking for Mendenhall this year.

The Steelers will be looking for rushing production anywhere they can get it, and if that means substituting Redman for Mendenhall on an increasing number of carries, they'll certainly do it.

This is even more of a factor going into this week's contest against the Titans, who boast a top-10 run defense and will likely shut Mendenhall down as the four teams before them have done.

Redman has an ever-increasing value to Mendenhall's fantasy owners, regardless of his injury status. As the weeks go by without improved production from the starter, he will lose more and more playing time to the more explosive Redman.

With so few running backs emerging as valuable fantasy waiver wire pickups, grabbing Redman this week is the smartest move Mendenhall's owners can make.